So what do you do?
the rabbi asks me at the Eat N Greet.

You know, I respond,
popping some croissant in my mouth,
I don’t remember.
If not for work, she says,
what do you do for fun?
That may be harder
to get to the bottom of,
was my answer
but she looked at me
quietly, patiently.

Eventually,
I offered,
I write.
I dance.
I move to the beat
of a drummer I do not know
or understand
or often,
even appreciate.
The rabbi nodded
as if she got
what I was getting at.
Why do you do it?
said she,
do you believe in the drummer?

I do not, I explained,
and offered
I do not know
why I like the things I like
and I don’t know
if there is anything greater than me
– than we –
but I do know
now
that I appreciate many things.

As do I,
the rabbi said,
nibbling on shrimp toast,
and I thank you for your answers.
You’re welcome?
I replied
with more questions myself
than I had before.